Paper Plate Animals
What You'll Need
- 1Paper plates (1 per animal)
- 2Crayons or markers
- 3Construction paper
- 4Safety scissors
- 5Glue stick
- 6Googly eyes (optional)
What You'll Need
Paper plates (white, one per animal)
Crayons or markers
Construction paper in assorted colors
Safety scissors
Glue stick
Googly eyes (optional but kids love them)
How to Make a Lion
Color the entire paper plate yellow or orange with crayons.
Cut strips of orange and yellow construction paper, about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long.
Glue the strips around the back edge of the plate to make a mane.
Draw or glue on two eyes in the center of the plate.
Draw a small triangle nose and a W-shaped mouth below it.
Add whiskers with a marker — three lines on each side of the nose.
How to Make a Frog
Color the paper plate green.
Cut two circles from green construction paper (about 2 inches across) for the eyes.
Glue the circles to the top edge of the plate so they stick up above the rim.
Add googly eyes or draw eyes on the green circles.
Draw a big, wide smile across the middle of the plate.
Cut a long, thin strip of red paper for the tongue. Curl one end around a pencil.
Glue the straight end of the tongue behind the plate so it hangs down.
How to Make a Cat
Color the paper plate any color — gray, orange, and black are popular.
Cut two triangles from construction paper for ears.
Glue the ears to the top of the plate.
Add eyes (googly eyes or drawn on).
Draw a small pink triangle nose and an upside-down Y shape for the mouth.
Glue or draw 3 whiskers on each side.
Optional: Glue cotton balls on for a fluffy white cat.
Tips
Let your child pick which animal to make. If they want to make a purple dog, that's perfect. Creativity matters more than realism.
Pre-cut the construction paper pieces for younger preschoolers (3-year-olds). Older kids (4-5) can practice cutting with safety scissors — cutting strips is great scissor skill practice.
Make a whole zoo! If your child is having fun, keep going. Tape a popsicle stick to the back and they become puppets for pretend play.
This activity practices fine motor skills (cutting, gluing), color recognition, following multi-step directions, and creative expression.
Hang the finished animals on the wall or fridge with tape. Kids light up when their art is displayed.
Age Adaptation Tips
Preschoolers can follow multi-step instructions. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to predict what will happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 25 min.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: paper plates (1 per animal), crayons or markers, construction paper, safety scissors, glue stick, and 1 more item.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 3-5 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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